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The
1811 Houses Manchester Village, Vermont
Former home of Abraham Lincolns Granddaughter
Romantic
Dining in Manchester
Frog's Leap Inn
It may seem a trifle surprising,
however, Manchester and its surrounding towns is a gastronomic center.
A short drive from the 1811 House to the Town of Weston will take you
to one of Vermonts oldest inns, the Frog's Leap Inn, where owners
Kraig and Dorenna Hart operate a superb dining facility within their inn.
Dorennas bubbly personality coupled with Kraigs peoples
skills sets the stage for a most unforgettable romantic dining experience,
where you will savor the wonderful eclectic New England dishes prepared
by Chef Dorenna.
This "happy go lucky" couple had been involved in the hospitality
business for many years prior to their purchase of the Frogs Leap
Inn in 1998. Dorenna is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America,
however, she indicated to me: "I follow my mothers concept
of cooking-and she was the best chef I have ever met. My mother was twenty
years ahead of Martha Stewart-her recipes made the society pages back
when you werent supposed to do your own catering." After devouring
some of Dorennas magical dishes, we both had to conclude, Dorenna
had definitely followed in her mothers footsteps. As she told us,
"My philosophy is K.I.S.S.-Keep it simple sweetheart."
In fact, Kraig mentioned to
me that when he first met Dorenna and she prepared her first meal for
him, his reaction after tasting her dishes was: "I cannot leave this
gal get away!"There are two dining rooms, one consisting of 7 tables
and the other 10 with a Rumford style fireplace. One caters to families
with children, and the other to couples alone.
The ambiance of the inns
restaurant perfectly reflects the motto of the Harts, who state in their
brochure: "we are all in the world together-lets work together
to make it nicer."
Vermont
products are used as much as possible featuring two local cheese makers,
Taylor Farm Cheese and Woodcock Farm Cheese. The inn grows its own herbs,
lettuce, vegetables, as well as some fruits as currants, blueberries,
strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries and edible flowers. They also
offer organic free-range chicken eggs at breakfast.
The restaurant is very reasonably priced, and the most popular items on
the menu are the Black Angus Filet, the Vermont Honey Maple Chicken, the
8 oz Jamaican Jerk Flat Iron and the 8 oz Duck Breast. Other choices are
the Tilapia with Cilantro Aioli and the Salmon with Soy Maple Glaze.
More Information
Frog's
Leap Inn
7455 Route 100
Londonderry Vermont
Tel: 1-877-Frogsleap
Email: info@frogsleapinn.com
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Barrow's House
Another jewel of a restaurant
is the Barrows House located about 15 minutes from the 1811 House in Dorset
Vermont. One important feature of this dining establishment is its close
proximity to the Dorset Theater Festival.
During the summer months, when the theater is in operation, the Barrows
House restaurant provides for an early dining sitting in order to permit
their patrons to have a leisurely dinner just in time to pop over to the
theater and take in a performance.
After we had the opportunity to dine at the Barrows House, both Lily and
I admitted that it is a good thing that innkeepers Linda and Jim McGinnis
had the good sense to engage Chef Ian Logan when he became available.
Chef Logan indicated to me that he considers himself to be a Classic French
Chef focusing on Regional American Cuisine with Asian and South Western
flair. He tries to use as much local produce as possible, and the inns
gardens are planned in such a way as to enhance his menu. All of this
is reflected in some of his signature dishes that will surely seduce you,
such as: Veal Sinatra that comprises tender veal scallops, sautéed
in butter, olive oil, Rosemary and White Wine, served over wilted baby
spinach; Another choice is the baked boneless breast of chicken stuffed
with Vermont chevre and asparagus served on a bed of wilted Swiss chard
topped with Lemon Balm Jus. If you go for fish, the baked Chilean Sea
Bass en papilotte with white wine, julienne of leeks, carrots and celery
with citrus-chive butter should not be missed. His crab cakes rank among
the finest in the area, and menus are changed twice a year.
What caught Lilys artistic eye were the murals of Vermont artist
Natalee Everett portraying primitive historic Dorset that were in the
Dorset Room, the inns principal dining room.
Although the wine list may be limited to about 30 choices, they are nevertheless
ample red and white wines to savor.
Beyond any doubt Chef Logans
Chef Logans richly flavored cuisine aptly reflects his classic French
training that perhaps resembles the mouthwatering dishes of Southern France.
This dining establishment offers superb fare in a romantic setting.
More Information
Barrows
House
Dorset, Vermont
Tel: 800-639-1620
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